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Dozens of local vendors rolled out their wares over the weekend during Bridal Fantasy’s Fall Fashion edition to inspire couples in the midst of planning their nuptials.

From gowns to cakes to tuxes to wedding decor, there was no shortage of ideas at Northlands Expo Centre for a wide range of tastes and budgets. Bridal Fantasy — which will run another show on Jan. 29 — also gave visitors a chance to interact with vendors face-to-face and establish relationships with them, something Brittany Yerichuk of Forever Enchanting Wedding & Events says has become more important to couples.

“They’re really starting to research vendors a lot more,” Yerichuk says. “One thing I’ve noticed with the economy … you can tell they’re a little bit more money-cautious, so what is their money getting?”

That cost-conscious mindset has helped drive the do-it-yourself trend that’s become a large part of the wedding-planning process. Websites like Pinterest and Instagram have opened the opportunity to browse through countless ideas and see how they can be applied to a couple’s big day. Getting crafty lends itself well to some of the current wedding themes. Mason jars are here to stay, jokes Yerichuk, noting that rustic and vintage themes continue to be popular among brides, often with modern elements tied in.

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“I’ve also noticed a lot of romantic, softer tones,” she says. Her favourite trend is the bohemian theme. “It’s a little bit of the greenery, the naked cakes. I definitely like the romance and the smaller, intimate weddings. I love the romantic colours: the blushes, the nudes, the creams, definitely some of the mulberries and the purples that are also coming into the season.”

But Yerichuk cautions that some of the DIY ideas found online can be costly to make.

Wedding decor is important, but the focal point of the day is usually the bride’s gown. Just as vintage-meets-modern elements have remained prevalent in decor, similar trends permeate bridal fashion. Marcia Bourassa of Bridal Bliss Consignment says lace gowns are still among the most popular choices, as well as dresses made of lighter fabrics.

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“More and more people are going for a lighter dress, maybe because they’re eloping more because of the economy,” says Bourassa, who specializes in new, once-worn, and designer sample gowns. “The lighter dresses are a little bit cheaper.”

She notes that bohemian gowns or Great Gatsby-era styles are also favoured over the mermaid, A-line, and fit-and-flare silhouettes. Gown shapes may not be changing drastically, but Bourassa says there are more colour options available to brides.

“Blush has been a real change in colour this year,” she says. “More and more people are going for gold, gold beading or the champagne colour, too.”

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For grooms, a classic black tux will always be a wedding staple, but Gay Derk, co-founder of Derks Formals, says men are looking to personalize their look.

“Blue has been a big thing, grey has been a huge trend, and with the brown shoes,” says Derk, who is also executive producer of the Bridal Fantasy event and editor-in-chief of Bridal Fantasy magazine. “It’s obviously a big fashion trend with guys, and they like to perk it up with a pocket square or tie that are a bit brighter. Maybe they’re tying in some kind of other colour on the girls’ dresses or the bride’s flowers.”

Many grooms now opt to buy a well-made suit they can use after the wedding rather than renting. Derk says a slim-cut reminiscent of the 1960s is popular, often paired with a bow-tie or cummerbund.

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“We’re seeing a burgundy dinner jacket with black pants and then a white shirt, and the tie and a cummerbund,” she adds. It’s a deep, rich burgundy this fall.

With so many details to consider, wedding planning can become overwhelming. But Yerichuk, Bourassa and Derk all echo a similar sentiment: don’t stress.

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